What's a thinking tool or method that is useful and practical that you've benefitted from and can share?
-
This post did not contain any content.
First: There is a certain amount of time you have to dedicate to a task to complete it. Estimate that amount of time, estimate how much time you actually have left to do it, and adjust the goal or deadline if necessary. This avoids the classic "huh maybe I'll do it this weekend or whenever I feel like it" proceeds to not do anything for a month.
Second: Writing stuff down on a physical piece of paper is valuable. I'm sure this doesn't apply for all people, but I believe having all of your notes/tasks/ect. on a computer screen is not the most optimal for our brains to process.
You not only have the abstraction of the current task, but also you're viewing it through a small 13 inch window on a generic document that sits somewhere on the abstract device called "your computer" or "your cloud". All of that information sits in your mind and takes up cognitive power from other tasks.
This is why I think writing stuff down is useful - it's making use of all of your other senses, which are subconscious. The things you write are unique. They have their own physical weight, their own look and mood reflected in your handwriting, they're located in a certain space on your desk or drawer, or maybe you scribbled a random picture on it.
Your brain automatically remembers these random details and helps you organize them. When you're looking for a note or document it's much easier to go to a physical place and say "there!" than to browse folders or websites on a computer.
-
This post did not contain any content.
Three things I learned to use that helped with learning quickly: spaced repetition, the Feynman method, and following practice with self assessment/quizzing. Spaced repetition when taking notes and reviewing new concepts to help with retention. The Feynman method is eli5 to see where a reliance on jargon or assumptions may mask a lack of understanding. And quizzing after practice helps highlight where more work would be best spent during the next practice or lesson.
